The French author and philosopher Albert Camus once said, “In the depth of winter I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer.” That is very emblematic of what it means to recover from addiction. In the beginning, we often see sobriety and recovery as an insurmountable task. Then, slowly but surely, we discover the true strength that we have inside. The strength to recover, and under that canopy, the opportunity to enjoy summertime in recovery.
The Benefits of Life in Recovery
There is no getting around that addiction is a fatal disease. Thus, the primary benefit that must never be ignored in recovery is that it saves our lives. Everything after that is, as they say in many 12-Step meetings, “cash and prizes.”
Once that overarching life-saving benefit is taken into account, then it becomes hard to see anything as not being a benefit of recovery. While everyone is going to benefit from recovery in different ways, the following tend to be some of the universal benefits:
- Mending family relationships
- Financial stability
- Occupational opportunities
- Academic achievement
- Regaining interest in once-loved activities
- Better sleep cycles
- Physical well-being
- Mental and emotional wellness
- Safe and satisfying daily structure
- New friendships and relationships
Enjoying Life in Recovery
So, with all of those benefits, it should not be hard to see the correlation between that and enjoying life in recovery. The key to enjoying life in recovery is being open to new people, places, and things; new experiences.
In active addiction, our lives become very small and closed off. As is often said in recovery meetings, “The disease of addiction wants us alone.” Enjoying life in recovery is all about expanding horizons and seeing what the world has to offer.
Of course, enjoying life in recovery does not come automatically. It does take work. In recovery, it is important to not let our guard down. We must always stay committed to our sobriety. After all, we wouldn’t have all of the benefits that are offered to us unless we first got sober. Sadly, these can all go away if we are not vigilant and active in our recovery.
Enjoying Summertime in Recovery
Some people feel a little peculiar when it comes to enjoying summertime in recovery. This is because, for some people, summer often brings with it many associations to drinking and using. However, these associations (also known in recovery as negative “people, places, and things”) don’t have to overtake us and ruin our summer.
The key is to incorporate the tools that we learned in recovery into summertime. For example, in recovery, it is important to stay connected to other people also in recovery. This ensures that we are always in the presence of people that will keep us accountable. Summer outings with recovery groups are always a great way to have fun while also keeping recovery front and center. Many other types of activities can make summertime in recovery a great time for all.
Summer Activities in Recovery
The beautiful thing about life in recovery is that it doesn’t have to be different or stilted. Someone in recovery can enjoy the same things as anyone else. The difference is the experiences someone has in recovery do not have to be marred by drinking or using. However, people in recovery tend to do things that are going to be physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually beneficial. This is because a big part of recovery is growth, and we tend to choose activities that will help us grow.
Take yoga for example. Yoga is a great summertime activity that also offers many of the benefits we desire in recovery. According to the International Journal of Yoga (IJOY), “Yogic practices enhance muscular strength and body flexibility, promote and improve respiratory and cardiovascular function, promote recovery from and treatment of addiction, reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, improve sleep patterns, and enhance overall well-being and quality of life.”
Even just getting out in nature in summertime in recovery can be beneficial. According to the National Park Service, “5 minutes walking in nature improves mood, self-esteem, and relaxation. Frequent exposure to nature reduces anxiety and depression, while promoting a sense of well-being and fulfillment.” Also, “Physical activity in a green space can reduce stress and lower cortisol levels by 15%.” These are all summertime gifts of life in recovery.
Enjoying Life With Lantana Recovery
Here at Lantana Recovery, we know that life in recovery comes with ups and downs. But, we also know that life in recovery is an amazing place to be.
The renowned author Henry James famously wrote, “Summer afternoon, summer afternoon; to me, those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language.” Recovery offers us the opportunity to agree with James and truly enjoy the beauty of summer.
There are many ways to have fun in summer during recovery, such as getting outside and enjoying nature and being more physically active outdoors (running, jogging, hiking, etc.). A change in season can also signify a positive shift in mood, which doesn’t just affect the individual but also everyone around them. If you feel like you or a loved one are struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the road to long-term recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this alone. For more tips on how to enjoy summertime in recovery, please reach out to Lantana Recovery today at (866) 997-2870.
